Book Review: The Abandoned Reincarnation Sage, Volume 1, by Miraijin A and Kurikaramaru
Early Book Review: Chimpanzee Memoirs: Stories of Studying and Saving Our Closest Living Relatives by Edited by Stephen Ross and Lydia Hopper
I thought that Chimpanzee Memoirs is a well organized collection of essays that are accessible and interesting to read. I liked that the experts were from a wide range of backgrounds, fields, and reasons being motivated to work with chimpanzees. The essays are each short, making this a quick read, but full of personal stories and tales of specific champs that stuck a chord with the experts. I liked that while some of the experts included are well known and fully expected to be included, readers also get to learn about people in the field that we most likely have never heard of. I think this book is an engaging and encouraging read, that also covers the struggles of the researchers and the threats to chimpanzees (past and present), so does not sugar coat the subject matter. This would be a great book for school and public libraries to have in their collection. It could be great inspiration for readers that have interest in studying chimps, or other animals.
Book Review: Boss Witch (Fix-it Witches) by Ann Aguirre
Early Book Review: Built by Animals: Meet the Creatures who Inspire our Homes and Cities by Christiane Dorion, Yeji Yun
Early Book Review: Animal BFFs: Even Animals Have Best Friends! by Sophie Corrigan
Book Review: Give up the Ghost (Phantoms) by Kelly Moran
Paranormal investigator Kerry Baker has seen it all. But nothing in her work with the Phantoms TV program prepares her for the most terrifying spirit of all—seeing her doppelganger. Rumored to be a foreshadowing of one's death, the specter shakes Kerry to the core, sending her into the arms of her best friend and fellow cast member for comfort. Except their contract with the show strictly forbids crossing that line, so not only is her life at risk, but so is her job. Paul Leake has been in love with Kerry for ages, yet unwilling to compromise their friendship. As their investigation in an isolated Arizona ghost town grows more intense, however, so does the chemistry between them. The mysterious hauntings and chronic on-set accidents at their location are wreaking havoc with the crew. With her life in danger and their careers on the line, giving into their attraction couldn't be a worse idea—and yet they can't bring themselves to stop. Even if it kills her.
As soon as I finished Ghost of a Promise I knew I wanted to see how things played out between Kerry and Paul in Give up the Ghost. The haunting and spooky aspects did not disappoint. I liked the setting and the various levels of angst from the ghosts, and how the team worked to handle all of it with the worry of the doppelganger looming. I would have liked to see some more resolution on a couple ghostly points, but it was nothing major or that ruined the read for me. I did enjoy the character development and growth as Paul and Kerry figure things out and deal with some of their issues.I did feel like there was significantly more sexy time in this book than in the last, but I could be wrong. I did like that Kerry and Paul had so much friendship and background with each other, so there was much less wondering what the other might be thinking, since they knew each other so well. As a whole I really enjoyed the read, but think it fell a little short of my expectations and this first book in the series. It is still worth the read, but it did not wow me like I had hoped it would.
Give up the Ghost is a good follow up to the first book, and a good book on its own. It just did not live up to my high hopes for it.
Early Book Review: The Doors to Nowhere (Secrets of Camp Whatever) by Chris
The Doors to Nowhere is the second volume of the Secrets of Camp Whatever graphic novel series by Chris Grine. It is currently scheduled for release on May 3 2022. I do recommend reading the series in order to have the full backstory and understand who and what the characters are.
When twelve-year-old Willow went to her weird new town's even weirder summer camp, she didn't expect to get caught up in an ancient mystery involving forest-dwelling vampires, living garden gnomes, and other completely bonkers creatures most people would never believe exist. Now she's not only involved, she's marked—too close to the heart of an ages-old quest for power and control than she should be, and too concerned about her new friends and the dangers they face to let them go it alone. With the help of a spell book and her scrappy crew of camp friends, Willow is about to step through a doorway to magic and discovery that will change her world forever.
The Doors to Nowhere is another well written and skillfully drawn graphic novel for the middle grade and older set. I liked the continuation of the story and how the characters continue to grow as individuals and as part of a friend group. I liked the art style and found the expressiveness of character faces to be on point throughout the book. I thought the reminders of past adventures was well done, reminding readers of important moments without covering too much of the same ground. My only complaint is that I wanted more. The story had a satisfying resolution, with plenty of foreshadowing for further adventures, but it just felt like it was over far to quickly so I went back and enjoyed some of my favorite moments again. I am eager to see where the story goes from here.
The Doors to Nowhere is a great follow up to the first installment, and I look forward to reading what happens next.